Threat Intelligence, Malware

CatPhishing: Hamas targets the hearts of Israeli forces

Hamas is targeting the hearts of Israeli soldiers using social engineering attacks that are triggered with a simple friend request.

Israel Defense Forces reported the group is scrolling through Facebook for Israeli soldiers to “catfish” using fake accounts created from photos and identities stolen from attractive unsuspecting users, according to a blog post.

Hamas operatives will then add the Israeli soldiers on social media and chat with them before sending a few pictures, in an effort to disarm suspicious and prove they are real before inviting them to a video chat using an app sent to the soldier from the operative.

The app is actually a trojan capable of gleaning contacts, locations, apps, pictures, and any files as well as access the camera and microphone.  

Soldiers are advised to not accept friend requests from strangers, keep GPS features off when not in use, and to not side load apps to their device.  

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